Apr. 23, 2014

Written by

Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

Shortly after the 2012 season, Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew admitted his biggest mistake of that season was counting on running back Jahvid Best to return from concussion problems.

It never happened. Best never saw the field again and his absence played a big part in the Lions' 4-12 record that season.

This year, and next, the Lions face another type of uncertainty at one of their cornerstone positions: defensive tackle.

Ndamukong Suh is in the final year of his contract and hasn't exactly been tripping over himself to show his desire to sign a long-term contract extension. The Lions have shown their lack of faith in Nick Fairley by declining to pick up his 2015 contract option.

The Lions have built their defensive line from the inside out. So if Suh decides to walk and Fairley doesn't improve or return, the Lions could miss their two elite tackles, which would decimate their entire defense.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said today that Donald would be "almost a luxury" pick, considering bigger needs at defensive back and linebacker.

"So that's where I'd be a little surprised," Kiper said during a conference call. "I mean, he's a heck of a player and there's nothing wrong with taking a real good player. I don't have a problem with that. But at some point you've got to look at some of these other spots and fill it.

"Now, if that's the way you want to go, I have no problem with the player. The player deserves to be in that top 10 to 15 discussion. Aaron Donald had a great year, great Senior Bowl week, great combine and he gets into the backfield, he gets after the quarterback and can wreak havoc."

Donald is widely considered the draft's top defensive tackle. He's bit undersized at 6-feet-1 and 285 pounds. But he's good against the run — Lions face Adrian Peterson, Eddie Lacy and Matt Forte six times each year — he had 29 ½ sacks for Pitt and he draws raves for his work ethic, character and football intelligence.

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And Kiper himself even brought up the example of how the New York Jets strengthened an area of strength by using the 13th pick last year on defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, who became the NFL's defensive rookie of the year.

"He went to the Jets and a lot of people didn't think they needed help at that spot," Kiper said. "And all of a sudden Sheldon Richardson's the second-best rookie in the NFL, if not the top rookie in the NFL.

"So, there you go. Donald's a football player. I have no problem with anybody taking him."

SAFETY DANCE: In his latest mock draft (version 4.0), Kiper has the Lions drafting Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, even though he said recently that he would be a reach for the Lions at 10.

"Well, he would be a reach," Kiper said today. "But there are reaches and when you're doing mocks remember it's going with what could happen. And there's going to be reaches, based on not their rankings because they obviously don't think it's a reach, based on what you have personally.

"So in my respect, in my ratings, it would be a reach. I said that then, I say that now. But could he go there? They need a defensive back."

STRONG RECEPTION: Kiper expects at least seven and as many as nine receivers to be drafted in the first round. He also listed several options in the second and third rounds. Then he mentioned a nice sleeper in the fourth round.

"But I think John Brown from Pittsburg State in Kansas will be an interesting fourth-round pick, at worst fifth, because he's got great return skills and he's one of the faster players in this draft," Kiper said. "So if you're looking for kind of a sleeper, it would be John Brown from Pittsburg State."

Brown had a predraft visit with the Lions last week.

HERE'S THE KICKER: Kiper didn't seem wowed by any kicker in the draft. But the Lions are in the market for David Akers' replacement and Kiper mentioned his top three draft-worthy kickers.

"I have Anthony Fera from Texas who had a great year," he said. "You think about being consistent and being able to put the ball right down the middle. He did that.

"Zach Hocker from Arkansas has a big, big leg, tremendous range. Chris Boswell from Rice has a big leg who's a little inconsistent, a little erratic this year. Those would be your top three."